“Wow, I didn’t imagine nature was this beautiful in Rosenweld… Sure is the most beautiful country in the whole realm of Zariel, as they say”.

Tamie was looking out the train window, watching evergreen trees and colourful flowering fields slide by as the train roared forward.

“Yeah, feels good to be here again”.

She started and looked aside, to see a robust man before her, nearly two metres tall, with weird long bushy blond hair, two tied bangs framing his face from both sides, and those sky blue eyes, blazing with the inner fire… Truly a weird one.

“Uhm…” her lips formed in a polite smile as they often used to when meeting talkative strangers who broke her peace.

“Whoops, sorry, I think that came out loud,” the guy chuckled and scratched his bushy hair.

“Oh, it’s fine, really,” Tamie smiled and got back to looking out the windows.

“But sure it is awesome to be back here again,” the man spoke once more, apparently wanting to start a conversation with this tiny brown-ponytailed cute girl he had just stumbled upon. “So many years…”

“Aha…”

“So, I assume, you’re new to Rosenweld?”

“Oh, yes,” Tamie shrugged and turned to him – no, he didn’t plan to give up. Ugh…

“May I ask which country you’re from?”

“Mandragore”.

“Oh, quite a tiny country, that one… Anyway, it is nice to meet you. I am Erik,” he stretched his hand out.

“Tamie,” the girl shook it, a little timidly.

Erik caught a glimpse of Tamie’s brass-chained Libra sign necklace, and a weak smile twinkled through his lips:

“So you’re a Zodiac Mistress?”

“Oh,” Tamie noticed his gaze onto her necklace. “Yes, but I’m only a beginner. I’ve come to Rosenweld to join an order”.

“Ah, that’s quite nice, being a part of an order! So many pleasant memories…”

“Oh… So you are a Zodiac Master too? Where’s your medallion?”

“I don’t like showing off so I keep it hidden. But as you ask…” Erik chuckled, grabbed a golden chain on his neck and pulled out a sun medallion with a red gem in the center.

“No way, you’re not only a Zodiac Master but a Celestial Lord?!”

Tamie couldn’t believe her eyes – there were only twelve Celestial Lords, those who had achieved the supreme power of their respective sign, thus, had received their planetary necklaces. As this guy wore the Sun medallion, it meant he was a Leo.

One of the strongest Zodiac signs and he’s travelling in a third-class wagon?!

“Yup! So I guess you understand why I hate showing it off,” Erik hid the necklace back inside his red robes.

“B… But why? You’d receive recognition from everywhere!”

Tamie was stupefied – if she had such a necklace, she’d show it broad open! She even boasted with her current miserly brass-chain Libra amulet.

“Well, I prefer to have a calm life. I don’t want crowds running on my tail every time”.

“Oh, you’re quite modest, then”.

“But, I’m very pleased to meet you, Tamie. Who knows, once you grow stronger, you might be a good challenge”.

“Huh? Wh… What makes you think that? You don’t even know me!”

“I have a hunch,” Erik winked.

Tamie laughed. This guy seemed somewhat… charming now. Duh, to think she would actually like some boy after all these years! But Rosenweld was a cool country.

“So, which order are you planning to join?”

“Well, I’ve got an invitation from the Rose Cruce. My brother’s a Sage there, so…”

“Woah, a Sage of the Rose Cruce? You don’t mean Nick Wingfield?”

“Yeah, it’s him. W… Why so astonished?”

“Celestial Lord of the Moon?!” Erik was shocked. To think that guy’s got a cute little sis such as this girl… Out loud, he only smiled politely: “Well, not all Celestial Lords know each other, but Lord Nick and I have often had matches. The Water and the Fire are opposite elements, but when the opposite zodiacal planets – the Sun and the Moon – add up, you get complete turmoil. You understand, right? Your brother is one of my rivals, Tamie!”

“Oh, my, so that’s why you got so worked up! I knew Nick was considered a genius Zodiac Master, but to be this serious… Amazing!”

“Well, now when I know you’re Lord Nick’s sister, all I can say is – here’s my signal”.

Erik touched Tamie’s electronic bracelet – the calling gadget that worked as a cell-phone in the Zariel realm. People could use them to talk to each other when putting in each other’s ‘signals’ – special signs that identified them.

When Erik let go of the gadget and Tamie looked at it, she noticed three symbols – the Sun, the Lion, and the Dragon (this latter was apparently his spirit sign, determined by the year one was born in, as far as she knew).

Amazing… she thought. Such a strong combination!

Erik got Tamie’s signal on his own gadget: two symbols – the Scales and the Tiger.

Hmm, quite an interesting combination… he thought. This girl has a lot of things to choose from.

“Whenever you find yourself in trouble and Lord Nick’s not around, ring me up for help, Tamie Wingfield!”

“Haha! Thanks a lot, Erik!”

Ringing such a guy for help… That would surely work out!

The train gave out a whistle and stopped. They had arrived at the station.

“Woah, we’ve arrived. Well then, I guess it’s my time to go. Until next time, Tamie Wingfield!” Erik shook her hand again and walked off.

“Goodbye!”

Tamie waved a hand. Then she hastily grabbed her bag and rushed out of the train, to meet the new world she would soon start to live in.

On the station, Tamie soon noticed whom she was searching for.

“Nick!”

She dashed at him and hugged him tightly. Nick, her brother, widened eyes as her arms clutched and squeezed him, but then grinned and embraced her:

“Tamie, I’ve missed you so much!”

“My big crabby!”

Tamie rubbed his black hair. Nick laughed. Tamie began to observe him – he had changed in these three years. Of course, he was always wise and a genius, even back in Mandragore when they both were young, but now, he seemed so independent, so grown… maybe because of living alone for so long, or because he worked to earn his living himself? Or maybe both… and the change of air as he came to live in another country, and of course, the fact that he had already become a Celestial Lord in only three years!

She looked down at his silver-chained necklace of the moon with a blue gem inside it, just like Erik’s Sun necklace, whose gem was red instead.

So dazzling! Nick, you’ve grown so much… Now you’re a Celestial Lord, and a Sage, the highest rank of your Class. Truly amazing!

“Well then, I guess we can go to the Order building now,” Nick smiled, “for your Joining Ceremony”.

“Really? A ceremony?!”

“Sure. Let’s go!” Nick formed a sign with his two fingers and shouted: “Cancer Style, Keeper Art, Sage Mode – Demon Crab Summoning!”

A giant blue crab appeared out of thin air. Tamie’s jaw dropped:

“You can summon crabs?!”

“That’s the least of it. Well, climb on,” he grabbed her hand and jumped on the giant crab’s shell back.

“Woah!" Tamie chuckled and shook her head: “Show-off…”

“Complaining because you’re only a beginner? But you’ll achieve such heights in a short while too. After all, we’re siblings,” Nick hit her on a shoulder in a brotherly manner as he often used to when they were together.

“Haha, sure!”

The crab took the siblings to the Order building. They talked a lot while sitting on its back. Nick asked about their parents, how life went on in Mandragore, while Tamie was interested in his legends in Rosenweld. Soon they could already spot a giant mansion with a rose-and-cross emblem up ahead.

“Wow, such a big building!” Tamie was dazzled by the brilliance of the mansion with colourful roofs and a small but beautiful flower garden.

“Well, that’s the Rose Cruce for you”.

“Amazing!”

The crab stopped in front of the building and the siblings jumped down. Nick snapped his fingers and the crab vanished in water droplets just as fast as it had appeared. Tamie was excited – finally, after so many years, she stood in front of an Order building, ready to join in! Nick touched the gates with his golden ring of the rose-and-cross emblem he wore on his little finger, and an electric voice announced:

“Sage Nick Wingfield. Identified. Welcome home, Lord Nick”.

The gates creaked and opened.

“Wow, cool security system you have!”

“Edmund’s idea”.

“Who’s Edmund?”

As she followed Nick inside, letting the gates close behind them, Tamie found herself in a large hall with wooden floor, stone walls, and wooden tables where a lot of different people were sitting. There was a counter with a fair white-haired young lady cleaning it, and a reception table where a weird goatee-bearded man with sunglasses was writing some papers. The people at tables were either drinking different sorts of drinks and alcohol or just chatting and laughing.

Once the doors shut with a bang, everyone hushed and looked at the entered siblings. Tamie felt uneasy in such a large crowd. A tall guy with bushy orange hair, glasses on his blue eyes, and a black suit, approached them and eyed Tamie with great curiosity. Then he declared with a faint smile:

“Welcome to Rose Cruce Order, Miss Tamie Wingfield. I am Edmund Jaeger, the overlord of this order”.

Tamie widened eyes – so this was Edmund? Nick referred so casually to none other but the Overlord?!

Unbelievable! Nick, you’ve achieved such heights… When will I ever catch up to you?

She had indeed much to learn.

“Oh, it is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Edmund Jaeger!”

Tamie shook the boy’s hand he had stretched out. She caught a glimpse of his golden-chained Libra amulet.

No way, this guy’s a Libra too?!

A Libra and he had managed to become an overlord of such a powerful order?

If this Libra has accomplished such great things, maybe I too can indeed achieve my dream...

“Well, we shall hold your Joining Ceremony later today. Meanwhile, you can take your time to get to know the rules of this order and also, choose a Class you’re going to pursue,” Edmund gave her a polite smile, as it was a custom for all Libra. Then he looked at her brother: “Lord Nick, I think you remember we’ve got a council in a few hours”.

“I don’t forget anything, Ed,” Nick answered. He turned to Tamie: “Well, I guess I’ll leave you for now. I think you can take care of things here on your own, right? If anything, our receptionist, Erisa, can help you,” he pointed on the fair white-haired maiden cleaning the counter nearby. Once heard her name, Erisa raised her head and glanced at them with her big blue eyes. Nick smiled at her: “Erisa, you can help my little sister with the beginner guide, right?”

“Sure, Lord Nick, I would be glad!”

“Okay. I’ll leave you to it, then”.

Nick followed Edmund to the second floor. When they were gone, Tamie heard Erisa’s voice:

“Hello, I’m Erisa Glendale”.

“Tamie Wingfield. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

“Same here! Well, what are your sign and spirit?” Erisa opened a notebook, apparently to write Tamie’s data down.

“I am a Libra, born on October 6. As for the spirit – I’m in the year of a Tiger, so I guess a Tiger should awaken, right?”

“Correct. Okay then, so Tamie Wingfield – a Libra of a Tiger spirit. Hmm, quite an unusual combination... I’m not sure which Class would be better for you_”

They heard a loud scream of excitement. When Tamie looked back, her eyes widened in fright – a short redhead girl dressed in a tiger costume was running towards her at an immense speed, accompanied by an energetic white dog and two cats. She dashed at Tamie and squeezed her in her arms:

“A Tiger spirit! Another Tiger spirit! Awesome!!!”

“Ah! I… can’t breathe…” Tamie gasped for air.

“Whoops, sorry!” the tiger-costumed girl let go of her. “I just love Tigers so much!”

“Ah, n… nice…” Tamie scratched the back of her head. “So, you’re a Tiger spirit too?”

“No, she’s a cow,” a sarcastic boyish voice sounded.

“It is called an Ox,” the redhead gnashed the teeth and clenched her fists in rage.

“Ah, sorry, I thought as ‘Bulls’ are for boys, for girls like you it should be ‘Cows’”.

Tamie frowned when spotted the black-haired arrogant guy whom the voice belonged to, sit on a stool at the counter, next to them.

“I said it is an Ox!” the tiger-costumed girl looked down at her white dog: “Blizzard, get him!”

The dog barked and wagged his tail. The arrogant boy burst out laughing, holding his stomach:

“Haha! He doesn’t even listen to you! Your pets are just as dumb as their owner, Tiger!”

Tiger – the redhead girl – flared up and punched him in the face. The boy shrilled in pain and fell off his chair, banging right onto the floor. Now the whole crowd roared with laughs:

“She’s got ya, Rick?”

“What a weakling, brought down by a girl!”

Rick flushed up with embarrassment and sprang up on his feet. He prepared hand signs to call his powers out:

“You will get it now, you cow lass!”

Tiger didn’t back down but prepared her fists as well, ready to accept Both Tamie and Erisa got worried – a fight was to break out, and here, near them, of all places?!

“Guys, please, calm down!”

Erisa got worked up – if a fight broke out now, they would seriously damage the surroundings, and she would be blamed as it was near her counter! But the pumped-up children didn’t seem to be willing to give up now. They were waiting for each other to make the first move.

“Take this, you cow!”

Rick swung his water fist at Tiger. A fire rope grabbed his arm and landed a burn. He roared in pain. The water around his fist vaporized. He looked aside, to see a short-haired girl of average height glare at him. He snarled:

“Riza…”

“No fighting inside the Order building. Jaeger’s policy. Or you want to get found out by the Magister, Rick?”

“Ugh, you rat will never be stronger than me, a snake!” Rick rubbed his burnt arm.

“Well, you can test it out, if you ever make it to the second floor of Zodiac Grandmasters,” Riza chuckled.

“Haha, she beat ya there!” some boys burst into laughter.

Rick gnashed his teeth. He turned around and left the place. Riza turned to Tiger:

“You okay, sis?”

“I’m fine…”

Tiger called out her three pets and left the hall, walking down into the basement. Riza followed her. The crowd stopped watching them and got back to their business – drinking and chatting. Tamie turned back to Erisa:

“Is it always like this in here?”

“Mostly…” Erisa rolled eyes, “I’m glad Riza cut into the conflict, or else there would’ve been a disaster… Well, forget about that. Which Class do you want to join?”

She put a paper before her, with the names of six Classes – the Battler, the Defender, the Keeper, the Sneaker, the Tamer, and the Artist.

So many to choose from! Once I make a choice, there shall be no way back…

Tamie’s grand adventures were about to start, from that very moment when she put her finger first on the Artist Class, and then its sub-branch – the Writer Class. Her name was written down.

“Congratulations, Tamie Wingfield, you are now a member of the Rose Cruce Order!” Erisa announced.

Her path towards glory began.